Well, we finally left Utah today. What a beautiful state...hope to visit it again to see all the things we didn't have a chance to see this trip.
We only had a 40 mile drive to get to our campground in Kaibab, Arizona. It's not really a town. It's a National Forest and is the closest campground with full hook-up (electricity/water/sewer) to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We do have cell phone service and our Verizon "five-spot" is working...at least right now! We are getting "zero" tv reception...so it will be a new experience for us to go to sleep without the TV on! And during the day while we are at the Grand Canyon the "girls" will have to miss their favorite TV shows and just be happy listening to music on my IPOD! Anyway, it's very rustic and peaceful here, which we love! Our neighbors next door, Randy and Dawn from Denver, are super nice and we really enjoyed visiting with them tonight. They leave tomorrow for Sedona so we will hate to see them go. We "gained" an extra hour today (we are now 3 hours behind SC time) and it was dark at 7:30! During our whole trip it hasn't gotten dark until 9 or 10 each night (depending on where we were). We obviously will have to schedule our "adventures" better so that we get home before dark, which means before 7:30 instead of 9 or 9:30!
We will get up early tomorrow to head to the North Rim. After going to the Visitor's Center today we already know that it will be hard to do all that we want to do in the two days we will be here!
Click on the link below to see today's pictures.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August302011KaibabAZNorthRimGC?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM2V5KOivMvuFA&feat=directlink
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Day 86 - August 29, 2011 - Kanab, Utah
The morning was spent handling personal business...like paying taxes and insurance on my car! Thanks Roger for telling me I only had three days left on my tag! What would we do without you!!! We owe you big after this trip!!!
After lunch we headed to the laundromat! Always exciting...not! Sometimes it is more fun than others, but today was not one of those days! It started raining during lunch and was the first downpour we have been in since we left home! Of course, the rain doesn't last long like it does at home...after about 30 minutes the sun came out again!
Kanab's motto is "The Greatest Earth on Show" and we have found that this is more than just a play on words...it's true! Kanab just may have a monopoly on having the most diverse, quality outdoor recreation nearby. So much that we will have to save some for our next trip! Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, where The Greatest Story Ever Told was filmed, was our adventure for today. The state park was selected for the movie because a Hollywood Production Company thought the coral pink sand dunes resembled Egypt. When you see our pictures I think you will agree!
The park gets its name from the coral-colored sand which has eroded from exposed Navajo sandstone. Pink sand formed into a dune system as a result of wind deposits rising from the hot lower elevations. The pink sand contrasted against the steep red cliffs and outcroppings is magnificent! It was a good choice for our adventure today because the park is only a few miles from Kanab.
On a whim, as we were driving back to Kanab, we decided to head to Fredonia, Arizona to see the Clam Shell, reputed to be Fredonia's Treasure, and the site of "dried up beds filled with petrified wood of every size". The Clam Shell is a clam shaped rock formation (surprise!) where Native Anasazi inhabitants escaped inclement weather and enemy trespassers. The overhang is supposed to be filled with petroglyphs depicting life of the Anasazi. Since it is only about 10 miles from our campground and it was just before sunset, we thought it would be a nice end to our Kanab adventure.
The directions seemed easy enough...turn at Joy Jordan Woodhill Trail Road, drive a few miles around the "beautiful red landscape of the Arizona Strip where you will come to a concrete picnic table, keep going until you reach the second picnic table and you have arrived"! Well, we did this...no Clam Shell and no petrified wood! By chance, we decided to drive up the road a little further and, lo and behold, at the third picnic table we found the Clam Shell...but no petrified wood! By now it was too late to hike up to the Clam Shell to see the petroglyphs or to look further for petrified wood, but we did experience a beautiful sunset on the drive home!
Another thunderstorm about 30 minutes after we got home. Because they are such a brief everyday occurrence here even Katie doesn't get nervous anymore! And they do cool things down...an added bonus!
We leave tomorrow for the Kaibab, Arizona and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Hopefully we will have internet service there, but if you do not see any posts from us, you will know why. We will be there for 3 nights (until September 2) and then move on to Williams, Arizona and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where we should have internet service.
Click on the two links below to see our pictures from today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August292011KanabUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPqFqMC3vtrXjgE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August292011KanabUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMWB6v_T752TXA&feat=directlink
After lunch we headed to the laundromat! Always exciting...not! Sometimes it is more fun than others, but today was not one of those days! It started raining during lunch and was the first downpour we have been in since we left home! Of course, the rain doesn't last long like it does at home...after about 30 minutes the sun came out again!
Kanab's motto is "The Greatest Earth on Show" and we have found that this is more than just a play on words...it's true! Kanab just may have a monopoly on having the most diverse, quality outdoor recreation nearby. So much that we will have to save some for our next trip! Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, where The Greatest Story Ever Told was filmed, was our adventure for today. The state park was selected for the movie because a Hollywood Production Company thought the coral pink sand dunes resembled Egypt. When you see our pictures I think you will agree!
The park gets its name from the coral-colored sand which has eroded from exposed Navajo sandstone. Pink sand formed into a dune system as a result of wind deposits rising from the hot lower elevations. The pink sand contrasted against the steep red cliffs and outcroppings is magnificent! It was a good choice for our adventure today because the park is only a few miles from Kanab.
On a whim, as we were driving back to Kanab, we decided to head to Fredonia, Arizona to see the Clam Shell, reputed to be Fredonia's Treasure, and the site of "dried up beds filled with petrified wood of every size". The Clam Shell is a clam shaped rock formation (surprise!) where Native Anasazi inhabitants escaped inclement weather and enemy trespassers. The overhang is supposed to be filled with petroglyphs depicting life of the Anasazi. Since it is only about 10 miles from our campground and it was just before sunset, we thought it would be a nice end to our Kanab adventure.
The directions seemed easy enough...turn at Joy Jordan Woodhill Trail Road, drive a few miles around the "beautiful red landscape of the Arizona Strip where you will come to a concrete picnic table, keep going until you reach the second picnic table and you have arrived"! Well, we did this...no Clam Shell and no petrified wood! By chance, we decided to drive up the road a little further and, lo and behold, at the third picnic table we found the Clam Shell...but no petrified wood! By now it was too late to hike up to the Clam Shell to see the petroglyphs or to look further for petrified wood, but we did experience a beautiful sunset on the drive home!
Another thunderstorm about 30 minutes after we got home. Because they are such a brief everyday occurrence here even Katie doesn't get nervous anymore! And they do cool things down...an added bonus!
We leave tomorrow for the Kaibab, Arizona and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Hopefully we will have internet service there, but if you do not see any posts from us, you will know why. We will be there for 3 nights (until September 2) and then move on to Williams, Arizona and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where we should have internet service.
Click on the two links below to see our pictures from today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August292011KanabUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPqFqMC3vtrXjgE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August292011KanabUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMWB6v_T752TXA&feat=directlink
Monday, August 29, 2011
Day 85 - August 28, 2011 - Kanab, Utah
Last night we made a conscious decision to sleep late...and we did and it was wonderful! We were so tired from yesterday's adventure! Actually I think it was an accumulation of three months of adventures! We're just not as young as we used to be and don't bounce back quite as fast!
After a leisurely lunch we traveled to Pipe Spring National Monument. Quite fascinating! It is a place where landscape and history converged in powerful ways! Obviously the water was a draw for many diverse cultures in the desert. The Kaibab Paiute tribe were settled there when the Mormons (Brigham Young) decided the area was perfect for the church's growing cattle herd acquired through tithing of it's members, and would be an ideal place to produce meat and dairy products for those working on church projects such as construction of the tabernacle and temple in St. George. And, of course, it also was a perfect place to build a "fort" to hide the "extra" wives when the U. S. Government outlawed polygamy!
It was a fun and "quite interesting" adventure, and the ranger giving the tour (as well as the rangers in the Visitor's Center) were great...so personable and informative!
We got back to the motor home right before the daily "thunderstorm" arrived and crashed (which means relaxing and long nap)!
Click on the two links below to see Pipe Springs!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August282011KanabUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMWD0827mvGkygE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August282011KanabUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNma64vZwbaa6AE&feat=directlink
After a leisurely lunch we traveled to Pipe Spring National Monument. Quite fascinating! It is a place where landscape and history converged in powerful ways! Obviously the water was a draw for many diverse cultures in the desert. The Kaibab Paiute tribe were settled there when the Mormons (Brigham Young) decided the area was perfect for the church's growing cattle herd acquired through tithing of it's members, and would be an ideal place to produce meat and dairy products for those working on church projects such as construction of the tabernacle and temple in St. George. And, of course, it also was a perfect place to build a "fort" to hide the "extra" wives when the U. S. Government outlawed polygamy!
It was a fun and "quite interesting" adventure, and the ranger giving the tour (as well as the rangers in the Visitor's Center) were great...so personable and informative!
We got back to the motor home right before the daily "thunderstorm" arrived and crashed (which means relaxing and long nap)!
Click on the two links below to see Pipe Springs!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August282011KanabUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMWD0827mvGkygE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August282011KanabUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNma64vZwbaa6AE&feat=directlink
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Day 84 - August 27, 2011 - Kanab, Utah
We spent the day at Zion National Park and it was great...so much fun that we didn't leave until dark and got back to the motor home around 10:00! Are we tired? Yes!
Enroute to Zion Canyon we went through two tunnels, one more than a mile long, and experienced some of the most magnificant views ever! Zion truly is one of the most scenic national parks in the country, characterized by high plateaus, a maze of narrow, deep sandstone canyons and striking rock towers and mesas.
While we wanted to hike all of the trails, physically and timewise it was impossible, but we did get in a few as part of the 8 miles we walked! Hugh and Emily, you have our utmost respect for hiking Angels Landing! After reading that "Angels Landing is a destination for those of strong body and nerve (and some might even say faith)", and "to get there, you must hike a route with steep drop-offs on both sides, which is definitely not for small children or those with a fear of heights", we decided we would have to save that hike for another trip! What can I say!
I said before that Glenn is THE MAN you want driving you in this country. It was dark when we drove out of the canyon...an experience all by itself! Alll in all, it was a wonderful, beautiful day...and the daily thunderstorms held off until about an hour after we got home!
Click on the two links below to see our pictures at Zion!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August272011KanabUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMCQtrH13a6WVA&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August272011KanabUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKOV7-288MSnEQ&feat=directlink
Enroute to Zion Canyon we went through two tunnels, one more than a mile long, and experienced some of the most magnificant views ever! Zion truly is one of the most scenic national parks in the country, characterized by high plateaus, a maze of narrow, deep sandstone canyons and striking rock towers and mesas.
While we wanted to hike all of the trails, physically and timewise it was impossible, but we did get in a few as part of the 8 miles we walked! Hugh and Emily, you have our utmost respect for hiking Angels Landing! After reading that "Angels Landing is a destination for those of strong body and nerve (and some might even say faith)", and "to get there, you must hike a route with steep drop-offs on both sides, which is definitely not for small children or those with a fear of heights", we decided we would have to save that hike for another trip! What can I say!
I said before that Glenn is THE MAN you want driving you in this country. It was dark when we drove out of the canyon...an experience all by itself! Alll in all, it was a wonderful, beautiful day...and the daily thunderstorms held off until about an hour after we got home!
Click on the two links below to see our pictures at Zion!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August272011KanabUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMCQtrH13a6WVA&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August272011KanabUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKOV7-288MSnEQ&feat=directlink
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Day 83 - August 26, 2011 - Kanab, Utah
We sure have been blessed with good weather on the days we have been traveling! We left Bryce Canyon this morning and had a leisurely drive to Kanab. The sun was shining, the traffic was light, and the scenery beautiful...not as spectacular as our last two drives but still pretty.
Kanab RV Park is small but very nice and well maintained. And our views and location are great! John and Nancy, RV full-timers who are managing the property this summer, were very personable and helpful. We know we are going to like it here!
We "played around" downtown this afternoon (see pictures) and then went to the Movie Film Museum (Kanab is known as "Little Hollywood" since so many movies and TV shows have been filmed here).
It was a fun day, topped off with a stop at the grocery store (Torrey and Bryce Canyon didn't have "real stores"!). Believe it or not, we had fun there too!
Click on the link below to see our "crazy" pictures from today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August262011KanabUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM7Cofny8pr6Kg&feat=directlink
Kanab RV Park is small but very nice and well maintained. And our views and location are great! John and Nancy, RV full-timers who are managing the property this summer, were very personable and helpful. We know we are going to like it here!
We "played around" downtown this afternoon (see pictures) and then went to the Movie Film Museum (Kanab is known as "Little Hollywood" since so many movies and TV shows have been filmed here).
It was a fun day, topped off with a stop at the grocery store (Torrey and Bryce Canyon didn't have "real stores"!). Believe it or not, we had fun there too!
Click on the link below to see our "crazy" pictures from today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August262011KanabUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM7Cofny8pr6Kg&feat=directlink
Friday, August 26, 2011
Day 82 - August 25, 2011 - Bryce Canyon City, Utah
Boy, did we get a workout today! We spent the day again at Bryce Canyon National Park and saw (and hiked some of) the rest of the park! I don't know how many miles we hiked (my BodyBugg's battery died), but it was somewhere between 6 and 8 miles (mostly uphill)! The thunderstorms held off until after we left the park around 6:15. We stopped briefly at The Old Bryce Town Shops on our way back to the campground. Not much to see but Glenn got some ice cream (I exercised control for a change) and we headed home.
Tomorrow we leave for Kanab, Utah and Zion National Park. Then the North and South Rim of the Grand Canyon before we start heading home.
Click on the two links below to see today's pictures.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August252011BryceCanyonUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLiwzYWNrtrFZQ&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August252011BryceCanyonGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKPLjo3-2KLL1gE&feat=directlink
Tomorrow we leave for Kanab, Utah and Zion National Park. Then the North and South Rim of the Grand Canyon before we start heading home.
Click on the two links below to see today's pictures.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August252011BryceCanyonUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLiwzYWNrtrFZQ&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August252011BryceCanyonGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKPLjo3-2KLL1gE&feat=directlink
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Day 81 - August 24, 2011 - Bryce Canyon City, Utah
You may be pleased to know that I exercised more control over my "photography finger" today and did not take as many pictures! In fact, Glenn took twice the pictures that I did! He does do a better job of putting comments with his pictures but, hopefully, you will not see as many duplicates as in the past.
Did I mention that "Ruby's" is, we think, the "only game in town"! Outside of the national park, it seems Ruby's is the only place to go...Ruby's Inn, Ruby's RV Park and Campground, Ruby's Restaurant, Ruby's Canyon Diner, Ruby's General Store...the Post Office is even located inside Ruby's Inn General Store! So now a little history of "Ruby's"! Hint...Ruby is a man!
In 1916, Reuben (Ruby) Swrett brought his family to Southern Utah, establishing a ranch near the present site of Ruby's Inn. A few weeks after his arrival, another nearby rancher told him about Bryce Canyon. Ruby and his family made a Sunday visit to the canyon rim and were so impressed they started telling others about the canyon and soon became hosts to the visitors. By 1919, Ruby had obtained permission from the state to build a lodge, the "Tourist Rest" near the brink of the canyon.
In 1923, when Bryce Canyon became a national monument, Ruby moved "Tourist Rest" to the location of his ranch and named it Ruby's Inn. Soon, Ruby's Inn became a large business operation and now provides everything a traveler needs! Today it is owned and operated by Ruby's grandchildren and great-grandchildren! And what an operation it is!
We discussed this while we were having breakfast at Ruby's Restaurant and thought you might be interested too! OK...maybe not!
We spent the day at Bryce Canyon! It was great, even with a couple of thunderstorms during the day! We met some really nice people and the temperature, I think, didn't get out of the 70's! And to top it off, we saw another rainbow!!! They did have to close the Navajo Loop because lighting struck a tree and it was still smoking. We were still on the trail when this occurred but, thank God, had passed the point where lighting struck! Thunderstorms occur quite frequently here, but they are very brief. Unfortunately, someone was fatally struck by lighting last week while hiking at Bryce Canyon (we found this out after our hike). When you look at the pictures you will not even know we had several thunderstorms during the day!
Click on the two links below to see today's pictures! Bryce Canyon is another beautiful national park!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August242011BryceCanyonCity?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJy0irLhidHT-QE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August242011BryceCanyonCiityUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLKjpNLA3sSt6wE&feat=directlink
Did I mention that "Ruby's" is, we think, the "only game in town"! Outside of the national park, it seems Ruby's is the only place to go...Ruby's Inn, Ruby's RV Park and Campground, Ruby's Restaurant, Ruby's Canyon Diner, Ruby's General Store...the Post Office is even located inside Ruby's Inn General Store! So now a little history of "Ruby's"! Hint...Ruby is a man!
In 1916, Reuben (Ruby) Swrett brought his family to Southern Utah, establishing a ranch near the present site of Ruby's Inn. A few weeks after his arrival, another nearby rancher told him about Bryce Canyon. Ruby and his family made a Sunday visit to the canyon rim and were so impressed they started telling others about the canyon and soon became hosts to the visitors. By 1919, Ruby had obtained permission from the state to build a lodge, the "Tourist Rest" near the brink of the canyon.
In 1923, when Bryce Canyon became a national monument, Ruby moved "Tourist Rest" to the location of his ranch and named it Ruby's Inn. Soon, Ruby's Inn became a large business operation and now provides everything a traveler needs! Today it is owned and operated by Ruby's grandchildren and great-grandchildren! And what an operation it is!
We discussed this while we were having breakfast at Ruby's Restaurant and thought you might be interested too! OK...maybe not!
We spent the day at Bryce Canyon! It was great, even with a couple of thunderstorms during the day! We met some really nice people and the temperature, I think, didn't get out of the 70's! And to top it off, we saw another rainbow!!! They did have to close the Navajo Loop because lighting struck a tree and it was still smoking. We were still on the trail when this occurred but, thank God, had passed the point where lighting struck! Thunderstorms occur quite frequently here, but they are very brief. Unfortunately, someone was fatally struck by lighting last week while hiking at Bryce Canyon (we found this out after our hike). When you look at the pictures you will not even know we had several thunderstorms during the day!
Click on the two links below to see today's pictures! Bryce Canyon is another beautiful national park!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August242011BryceCanyonCity?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJy0irLhidHT-QE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August242011BryceCanyonCiityUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLKjpNLA3sSt6wE&feat=directlink
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Day 80 - August 23, 2011 - Bryce Canyon City, UT
Wow! What an extraordinary experience we had traveling Scenic Highway 12 from Torrey to Bryce Canyon City, UT! It truly is one of the most, if not the most, beautiful drives in the country. We traveled up Boulder Mountain, with an altitude of 9600 feet, drove through Escalante National Monument, Dixie National Forest, Escalante Petrified Forest, and state parks and several picturesque towns. It was so awesome that it took us 6 hours to travel 122 miles! Of course, we stopped at every "scenic view turnoff" to take pictures which was part of the reason it took so long. The other reason was the roads. Very hilly, beautiful scenery, lots of curves, and several 8, 12, and 14% grades...slow traveling in a motor home pulling a jeep! And Glenn is absolutely THE BEST driver! I think he can maneuver any vehicle any where...and make it look effortless! Anyway, it was a drive to remember...the pictures will tell the story!
We like the campground and town. After we got to our site and unhooked the jeep, we headed to the Bryce Canyon Visitors Center and then to The Lodge at Bryce Canyon for dinner...very nice! The Lodge was designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood and completed in 1925. He designed many national park lodges but is best known for designing the Lodge at the Grand Canyon North Rim and Jackson Lake Lodge. Then we headed to Ruby's Inn General Store for a few groceries. When we walked out, lo and behold, another rainbow! Needless to say, we loved it!
Click on the three (yes three) links below to see some really great photos during an amazing drive
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August232011BryceCanyonCityUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMWMr_zxsu3CcQ&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August232011LindaSLastBryceCanyonPictures?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPPe9-e50pDRNA&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August232011BryceCanyonCityUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOGyyv6f-6DFqwE&feat=directlink
We like the campground and town. After we got to our site and unhooked the jeep, we headed to the Bryce Canyon Visitors Center and then to The Lodge at Bryce Canyon for dinner...very nice! The Lodge was designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood and completed in 1925. He designed many national park lodges but is best known for designing the Lodge at the Grand Canyon North Rim and Jackson Lake Lodge. Then we headed to Ruby's Inn General Store for a few groceries. When we walked out, lo and behold, another rainbow! Needless to say, we loved it!
Click on the three (yes three) links below to see some really great photos during an amazing drive
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August232011BryceCanyonCityUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMWMr_zxsu3CcQ&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August232011LindaSLastBryceCanyonPictures?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPPe9-e50pDRNA&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August232011BryceCanyonCityUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOGyyv6f-6DFqwE&feat=directlink
Monday, August 22, 2011
Day 79 - August 22, 2011 - Torrey, Utah
Well, I got up when the alarm went off at 9:00, however, someone whose name I will not mention, slept until 1:30! Since everyone gives me such a hard time about staying up late and sleeping late, I had mention this! I made good use of this time, since the internet has been so slow and disconnecting so much, and got caught up on posting pictures on the blog and cleaning up a little.
We then visited some of the shops in downtown Torrey and drove through the countryside to see where the "locals" live and the amazing views they have.
Not an exciting day, but a productive and relaxing day! Tomorrow we leave for Bryce Canyon on Scenic Route 12, reputed to be the most beautiful in Utah. Don't know how it could get better but we'll see!
Click on the two links below to see today's pictures.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August222011TorreyUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIfs5dPylqi1rAE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August222011TorreyUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNem-Zi226a2Pw&feat=directlink
We then visited some of the shops in downtown Torrey and drove through the countryside to see where the "locals" live and the amazing views they have.
Not an exciting day, but a productive and relaxing day! Tomorrow we leave for Bryce Canyon on Scenic Route 12, reputed to be the most beautiful in Utah. Don't know how it could get better but we'll see!
Click on the two links below to see today's pictures.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August222011TorreyUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIfs5dPylqi1rAE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August222011TorreyUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNem-Zi226a2Pw&feat=directlink
Day 78 - August 21, 2011 - Torrey, Utah
We actually got up at 7:00 because we wanted to have a nice breakfast and then spend the day at Capitol Reef National Park. And it was a beautiful day! It was sunny and around 60 degrees when we left the campground but later in the day it clouded over and we had a brief thunderstorm. We were in the middle of a hike and it came on suddenly (that happens a lot out here) so we took shelter under a small natural bridge for 10-15 minutes...a nice break! I didn't check but I don't think the temperature got above 75 today, which made for a really nice day! The sun came back out and we got some more beautiful sunset pictures on our way back to the campground.
Click on the links below to see today's pictures.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August212011TorreyUTLinda?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMHl5fycs4XAqQE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August212011TorreyUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM37ir3Fto7aiAE&feat=directlink
Click on the links below to see today's pictures.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August212011TorreyUTLinda?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMHl5fycs4XAqQE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August212011TorreyUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM37ir3Fto7aiAE&feat=directlink
Day 77 - August 20, 2011 - Torrey, Utah
Well, first of all, we are having trouble with the internet here. Not only are we having trouble with the internet, our Verizon service is on "extended service" and we can't even update our phones to the area or connect with customer service. The phones work sometimes and our Verizon "fivespot" hotspot works sometimes, but that's the magic word...sometimes! The campground has wifi but it also works "sometimes"! Anyway, that's why I am just now posting yesterday's "adventures". The pictures are taking forever to upload so it may be tomorrow or the next day when we leave for Bryce Canyon before they are posted. At least I hope we have better coverage at Bryce Canyon!
OK...back to today, August 20. What a wonderful day! It's our 25th anniversary and it really was a special day! The drive from Moab to Torrey was one of the most beautiful drives we have ever taken! I really can't wait for you to see the pictures! This part of Southern Utah has such a diversity of landscape...red rock formations and canyons, mountains, pristine meadows, alpine forests, and lush green valleys. And we have pictures! Lots of them! Glenn says that I could win a contest in taking the fastest and best photos in a moving vehicle, from the front and both sides! I, at least, think I could give anyone a run for their money! You be the judge!
Torrey is a small, but very pretty, town on the edge of Capitol Reef National Park. Our campground is, once again, great! It is nestled between red rock formations and mountains so we have beautiful views. The staff is so warm and friendly...that always makes it nice! And the "girls" love the green grass, particularly after the dirt in Moab!
We went to dinner at Cafe Diablo, a lovely southwestern cuisine restaurant that was recommended by Angela at the campground office. It was perfect! We sat outside and had a wonderful view of the courtyard filled with beautiful colorful flowers. Renee was our server and she was the best! Dinner was delicious and, as a bonus while we were eating, a rainbow appeared in the sky! Of course, it was for us! And, yes, we have pictures!
After dinner we drove to Capitol Reef National Park to get some sunset pictures. It was beautiful!
Click on the links below to see today's pictures!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August202011TorreyUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCImAmuGW4K_FIw&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August202011TorreyUtahGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLad8eanodn6qwE&feat=directlink
OK...back to today, August 20. What a wonderful day! It's our 25th anniversary and it really was a special day! The drive from Moab to Torrey was one of the most beautiful drives we have ever taken! I really can't wait for you to see the pictures! This part of Southern Utah has such a diversity of landscape...red rock formations and canyons, mountains, pristine meadows, alpine forests, and lush green valleys. And we have pictures! Lots of them! Glenn says that I could win a contest in taking the fastest and best photos in a moving vehicle, from the front and both sides! I, at least, think I could give anyone a run for their money! You be the judge!
Torrey is a small, but very pretty, town on the edge of Capitol Reef National Park. Our campground is, once again, great! It is nestled between red rock formations and mountains so we have beautiful views. The staff is so warm and friendly...that always makes it nice! And the "girls" love the green grass, particularly after the dirt in Moab!
We went to dinner at Cafe Diablo, a lovely southwestern cuisine restaurant that was recommended by Angela at the campground office. It was perfect! We sat outside and had a wonderful view of the courtyard filled with beautiful colorful flowers. Renee was our server and she was the best! Dinner was delicious and, as a bonus while we were eating, a rainbow appeared in the sky! Of course, it was for us! And, yes, we have pictures!
After dinner we drove to Capitol Reef National Park to get some sunset pictures. It was beautiful!
Click on the links below to see today's pictures!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August202011TorreyUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCImAmuGW4K_FIw&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August202011TorreyUtahGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLad8eanodn6qwE&feat=directlink
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Day 76 - August 19, 2011 - Moab, Utah
We have known that we can't "do it all" on this trip, even though we want to, but we at least have gotten better at pacing ourselves and save some things for another trip.
Which brings me to today. We were going to get up early and drive to the "Needles" section of Canyonlands. Then, after Glenn finished editing his pictures last night he decided that driving the 200+ miles round trip (which does not count the miles we would drive at Canyonlands) was not realistic...particularly after the long day we had at Canyonlands yesterday and tomorrow we will be driving 170 miles to our next destination (Torrey, Utah and Capital Reef National Park). So the rest of Canyonlands will have to wait until another trip.
Instead, we slept late and spent quite a while on the phone with cancelling and rescheduling appointments we had scheduled in September and scheduling and confirming campground reservations. Then we headed downtown for a late lunch/early dinner at Moab Brewery (one of the restaurants we had been told was good) and ran a few errands at the drug store and hardware store. Our last stop was the camera store to get me a shade for my 15-85mm lens. Yes, they had one, and after we paid for it we started talking to the owner about wide angle lens. Glenn was thinking a wide angle lens would be good for capturing and Grand Canyon. Of course, I thought he was right! Anyway, while we were discussing the lens we started looking at camera bags for me to carry the assortment of lens! Surprise! We bought the lens and bag! Now just hope we like them as much as we think we will!
Back to the campground for me to do laundry. I hadn't taken pictures of the beautiful view of the mountains from the campground so I took the opportunity to do it while the sun was setting and our clothes were washing. This has been another great stop in our "adventure"...love the area and the people here at the campground!
Click on the link below to see today's pictures.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August192011MoabUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM7zpvHvx9CHew&feat=directlink
Which brings me to today. We were going to get up early and drive to the "Needles" section of Canyonlands. Then, after Glenn finished editing his pictures last night he decided that driving the 200+ miles round trip (which does not count the miles we would drive at Canyonlands) was not realistic...particularly after the long day we had at Canyonlands yesterday and tomorrow we will be driving 170 miles to our next destination (Torrey, Utah and Capital Reef National Park). So the rest of Canyonlands will have to wait until another trip.
Instead, we slept late and spent quite a while on the phone with cancelling and rescheduling appointments we had scheduled in September and scheduling and confirming campground reservations. Then we headed downtown for a late lunch/early dinner at Moab Brewery (one of the restaurants we had been told was good) and ran a few errands at the drug store and hardware store. Our last stop was the camera store to get me a shade for my 15-85mm lens. Yes, they had one, and after we paid for it we started talking to the owner about wide angle lens. Glenn was thinking a wide angle lens would be good for capturing and Grand Canyon. Of course, I thought he was right! Anyway, while we were discussing the lens we started looking at camera bags for me to carry the assortment of lens! Surprise! We bought the lens and bag! Now just hope we like them as much as we think we will!
Back to the campground for me to do laundry. I hadn't taken pictures of the beautiful view of the mountains from the campground so I took the opportunity to do it while the sun was setting and our clothes were washing. This has been another great stop in our "adventure"...love the area and the people here at the campground!
Click on the link below to see today's pictures.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August192011MoabUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM7zpvHvx9CHew&feat=directlink
Friday, August 19, 2011
Day 75 - August 18, 2011 - Moab, Utah
If you missed having pictures yesterday you will be pleased today! Since we have a tendency to lose track of time when we are at national parks, we decided to go to the movie museum first before we headed out to Canyonlands. It was a beautiful drive along the Colorado River out to Red Cliffs Ranch, where the museum is (as well as Castle Creek Winery). Moab and southeast Utah have been chosen for years as location sites for movies, commercials, and music videos. The famous scene in Thelma and Louise going off the cliff was shot near Dead Horse Point as were scenes from Mission Impossible II. Arches National Park was a location for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. And, most recently, the Oscar-nominated movie 127 Hours, was filmed in an isolated Utah canyon. In 1950 Rio Grande was filmed here as were many other John Wayne movies. Also, many commercial and magazine photo shoots are shot here. OK...enough...I think you understand. The museum has memorabilia from lots of movies and TV shows that have been filmed in the area. Lots of fun and, as I said, a beautiful drive to get there!
We left the museum and headed to the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park. It is a wide, high plateau with breathtaking views of miles of canyons in all directions. The weather made for some interesting and beautiful photos. How to explain this...A storm was on one side (sort of, kind of) of the park with very dark clouds where we could see it was raining. Then, in other sections (where we tried to be) the sun was shining. Several times, though, the wind was so strong that it was like we were in a sand storm...but only for brief periods of time. We watched the storm pass around us and you will be able to see from the photos where the sun started "peeking" through the clouds and then a rainbow appeared in the distance! Did I say interesting? Yes it was! We stayed through sunset and got back to the motor home around 9:30. The nice thing about the weather today...it was cooler and most of the afternoon we had a nice breeze. Fantastic, since they were calling for 102 degree weather again today! It was another long, but great day for us!
Click on the two links below to see our photos from today's adventure!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August182011MoabUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLSlx76ks774Rw&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August182011MoabUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMOH9KHwotfCfA&feat=directlink
We left the museum and headed to the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park. It is a wide, high plateau with breathtaking views of miles of canyons in all directions. The weather made for some interesting and beautiful photos. How to explain this...A storm was on one side (sort of, kind of) of the park with very dark clouds where we could see it was raining. Then, in other sections (where we tried to be) the sun was shining. Several times, though, the wind was so strong that it was like we were in a sand storm...but only for brief periods of time. We watched the storm pass around us and you will be able to see from the photos where the sun started "peeking" through the clouds and then a rainbow appeared in the distance! Did I say interesting? Yes it was! We stayed through sunset and got back to the motor home around 9:30. The nice thing about the weather today...it was cooler and most of the afternoon we had a nice breeze. Fantastic, since they were calling for 102 degree weather again today! It was another long, but great day for us!
Click on the two links below to see our photos from today's adventure!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August182011MoabUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLSlx76ks774Rw&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August182011MoabUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMOH9KHwotfCfA&feat=directlink
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Day 74 - August 17, 2011 - Moab, Utah
I know that most of you will not believe it...but we didn't take a single picture today! No...not one!
We got up this morning and decided to take another "rest" day. Of course, that doesn't really mean "rest" like do nothing but relax. What is means is that we didn't visit any national parks or museums and walk 6-8 miles in the scorching sun. What we did do was "seriously" plan and route the rest of our trip. We have done this numerous times in the past but we have not been good about sticking to the plan. In other words, we have been having a lot of fun! We have extended our stays in so many places that our 3 month trip is turning into 4. Now, it is time for us to seriously think about going home...which requires more planning! And with a few breaks in between, we think we have a plan (again)!
I won't go into the details (you will have to keep checking the blog to find out where we are!) but, as it stands this minute, we will return home to Irmo September 30. According to the program we are using to route our trip, the breakdown will be 6,769.4 miles in the motor home (the jeep is another story) and 117 days, 4 hours and 5 minutes! Aren't you glad you asked?
The good news is that at least we have a plan...again! Tomorrow we will be back on the national park circuit...Canyonlands National Park...which means MORE PICTURES! See you then!
We got up this morning and decided to take another "rest" day. Of course, that doesn't really mean "rest" like do nothing but relax. What is means is that we didn't visit any national parks or museums and walk 6-8 miles in the scorching sun. What we did do was "seriously" plan and route the rest of our trip. We have done this numerous times in the past but we have not been good about sticking to the plan. In other words, we have been having a lot of fun! We have extended our stays in so many places that our 3 month trip is turning into 4. Now, it is time for us to seriously think about going home...which requires more planning! And with a few breaks in between, we think we have a plan (again)!
I won't go into the details (you will have to keep checking the blog to find out where we are!) but, as it stands this minute, we will return home to Irmo September 30. According to the program we are using to route our trip, the breakdown will be 6,769.4 miles in the motor home (the jeep is another story) and 117 days, 4 hours and 5 minutes! Aren't you glad you asked?
The good news is that at least we have a plan...again! Tomorrow we will be back on the national park circuit...Canyonlands National Park...which means MORE PICTURES! See you then!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Day 73 - August 16, 2011 - Moab, Utah
We don't just go see National Parks...we experience them!!! After spending 10 hours today in 96 degree weather at Arches National Park, we are tired! Imagine that! It was a great day, though...lots of fun and the National Park and Arches are really spectacular! Everywhere we turned were "kodak moments"!
Click on the links below to see the pictures we took today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August162011MoabUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCI_NosSzm__GowE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August162011MoabUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJXZx8GD_IHv5AE&feat=directlink
Click on the links below to see the pictures we took today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August162011MoabUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCI_NosSzm__GowE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August162011MoabUT?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJXZx8GD_IHv5AE&feat=directlink
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Day 72 - August 15, 2011 - Moab, Utah
Salt Lake City was a great stop on our adventure! We definitely will want to return someday. Now it's time for our next adventure...Moab and several of Utah's most diverse national parks...Arches and Canyonland!
The drive from Salt Lake was long, but some of the scenery made it all worth while! Once we arrived at KOA in Moab, we went downtown for some sightseeing and dinner.
Click on the link below for our photos from today!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August152011MoabUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJD7h6X9kdeTPQ&feat=directlink
The drive from Salt Lake was long, but some of the scenery made it all worth while! Once we arrived at KOA in Moab, we went downtown for some sightseeing and dinner.
Click on the link below for our photos from today!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August152011MoabUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJD7h6X9kdeTPQ&feat=directlink
Monday, August 15, 2011
Day 71 - August 14, 2011 - Salt Lake City, Utah
We drove out to the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island today...and what a wonderful day it was! The scenery, colors, and clouds were magnificant!!!
The Great Salt Lake is the largest body of water in the state of Utah and is fed by freshwater Utah Lake. Because it's only outlet is evaporation, the lake has a much higher salinity than any other of the Earth's oceans and supports no aquatic life other than brine shrimp. The Dead Sea is the only body of water with a higher salt content. It is, however, absolutely beautiful!
Antelope Island sits in the middle of the Great Salt Lake and is the only piece of land in Utah surrounded by a natural beach front. The island is a natural habitat to animals like the buffalo (which we saw) and the antelope (which we didn't see). The brine shrimp support millions of native and migrating bird species (we saw lots of birds but not many species).
As I said before, what we did see was the most beautiful scenery and colors! The weather was also beautiful (we can surely get used to this low humidity!) and the sky and clouds were spectacular! And what does this mean??? You're right! We took lots of pictures!
And to see these pictures, just click on the two links below!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August142011SaltLakeCityUTLinda?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJemlt3kuJ7cjAE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August142011SaltLakeCityUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOn4tKuYiePvrAE&feat=directlink
The Great Salt Lake is the largest body of water in the state of Utah and is fed by freshwater Utah Lake. Because it's only outlet is evaporation, the lake has a much higher salinity than any other of the Earth's oceans and supports no aquatic life other than brine shrimp. The Dead Sea is the only body of water with a higher salt content. It is, however, absolutely beautiful!
Antelope Island sits in the middle of the Great Salt Lake and is the only piece of land in Utah surrounded by a natural beach front. The island is a natural habitat to animals like the buffalo (which we saw) and the antelope (which we didn't see). The brine shrimp support millions of native and migrating bird species (we saw lots of birds but not many species).
As I said before, what we did see was the most beautiful scenery and colors! The weather was also beautiful (we can surely get used to this low humidity!) and the sky and clouds were spectacular! And what does this mean??? You're right! We took lots of pictures!
And to see these pictures, just click on the two links below!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August142011SaltLakeCityUTLinda?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJemlt3kuJ7cjAE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August142011SaltLakeCityUTGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOn4tKuYiePvrAE&feat=directlink
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Day 70 - August 13, 2011 - Salt Lake City, Utah
Guess what we saw parked at another campsite as we were leaving the campground to go to downtown Salt Lake City? Another yellow Jeep Wrangler with two bikes on the back! Needless to say, we both did a "double-take"! What's even funnier, the couple in the yard also did a "double-take", so we stopped! Really nice couple from the Black Hills of South Dakota getting ready to leave for Park City for the day. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture until we pulled away. Maybe they will be there tomorrow when we leave for the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island.
Today, our initial plan was to do the Walking Tour downtown. We found a parking space in front of the Salt Palace Convention Center, right next to the Visitor Information Center where we were going to pick up the Walking Tour map. We decided to start at Temple Square, the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, situated on 35 acres in downtown Salt Lake City. On July 24, 1847, after being driven beyond U.S. boundaries for their religious beliefs, the Mormons, led by the church's president, Brigham Young, arrived in the "Salt Lake Valley" and stayed when Brigham Young declared "this is the place" and chose the site for the Salt Lake Temple.
The grounds were absolutely breathtaking...beautifully landscaped as you can see from the pictures. We were able to tour inside several building and got to sit in on an organ rehearsal in the Tabernacle, home to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We were not able to see the inside of the Temple, as only Mormons can enter the Temple. You will also see in the pictures that there were 2 weddings, brides and grooms and guests, at both doors and the bottom of the steps of the Temple. I haven't figured that out yet and didn't have enough nerve to ask. We had lunch at the Garden Restaurant on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (formerly the Utah Hotel), overlooking Temple Square and Salt Lake City. Lovely...
Well, you know how spontaneous we are...the walking tour of the city ended after we toured The Beehive, Brigham Young's "official" residence (he also lived in the Lion House next door...he had 27 wives and 56 children...not quit sure how this worked but most of his wives and children lived in the Lion House next door...we were told only 7 of his children lived in The Beehive...not sure how many wives lived in The Beehive). Whatever...
Why, you ask, did we end the Walking Tour? Because when we left The Beehive we "happened upon" the Tour of Utah. And what pray tell is that? I'm so glad you asked! The Tour of Utah is called "America's Toughest Stage Race" where cyclists from all over the world travel to Utah to "test their mettle" on Utah's mountainous terrain. The six day race occurs at six locations around the state and one of the most exciting spots to be a part of the tour happens to be in and around Salt Lake City! Today was an 8-mile circuit race through downtown, Capitol Hill, the Avenues and the University of Utah. Tomorrow the tour concludes with a climb up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird resort. Woops...I digress...now I remember...you want to know why we ended the Walking tour...well...
When we walked out of The Beehive, the cyclists were turning the corner where we were and heading up the hill to the Capitol. We started taking pictures then and, since they were repeating the same route 8 times and finishing at the Capitol, we decided to walk up the hill to the Capitol (we were doing to drive there later!) and catch them again...and again...and again! Anyway, it was fun but after a while we decided to "call it a day" and headed to the grocery store and Pet Smart (aren't you glad no explanations are needed for that?)!
I know you can't wait to see the pictures! You know the routine...click on the two links below.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August132011SaltLakeCityUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ6hmbDBh-bD7QE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August132011SaltLakeCityUtahGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIm8oJPyn-a8FA&feat=directlink
Today, our initial plan was to do the Walking Tour downtown. We found a parking space in front of the Salt Palace Convention Center, right next to the Visitor Information Center where we were going to pick up the Walking Tour map. We decided to start at Temple Square, the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, situated on 35 acres in downtown Salt Lake City. On July 24, 1847, after being driven beyond U.S. boundaries for their religious beliefs, the Mormons, led by the church's president, Brigham Young, arrived in the "Salt Lake Valley" and stayed when Brigham Young declared "this is the place" and chose the site for the Salt Lake Temple.
The grounds were absolutely breathtaking...beautifully landscaped as you can see from the pictures. We were able to tour inside several building and got to sit in on an organ rehearsal in the Tabernacle, home to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We were not able to see the inside of the Temple, as only Mormons can enter the Temple. You will also see in the pictures that there were 2 weddings, brides and grooms and guests, at both doors and the bottom of the steps of the Temple. I haven't figured that out yet and didn't have enough nerve to ask. We had lunch at the Garden Restaurant on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (formerly the Utah Hotel), overlooking Temple Square and Salt Lake City. Lovely...
Well, you know how spontaneous we are...the walking tour of the city ended after we toured The Beehive, Brigham Young's "official" residence (he also lived in the Lion House next door...he had 27 wives and 56 children...not quit sure how this worked but most of his wives and children lived in the Lion House next door...we were told only 7 of his children lived in The Beehive...not sure how many wives lived in The Beehive). Whatever...
Why, you ask, did we end the Walking Tour? Because when we left The Beehive we "happened upon" the Tour of Utah. And what pray tell is that? I'm so glad you asked! The Tour of Utah is called "America's Toughest Stage Race" where cyclists from all over the world travel to Utah to "test their mettle" on Utah's mountainous terrain. The six day race occurs at six locations around the state and one of the most exciting spots to be a part of the tour happens to be in and around Salt Lake City! Today was an 8-mile circuit race through downtown, Capitol Hill, the Avenues and the University of Utah. Tomorrow the tour concludes with a climb up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird resort. Woops...I digress...now I remember...you want to know why we ended the Walking tour...well...
When we walked out of The Beehive, the cyclists were turning the corner where we were and heading up the hill to the Capitol. We started taking pictures then and, since they were repeating the same route 8 times and finishing at the Capitol, we decided to walk up the hill to the Capitol (we were doing to drive there later!) and catch them again...and again...and again! Anyway, it was fun but after a while we decided to "call it a day" and headed to the grocery store and Pet Smart (aren't you glad no explanations are needed for that?)!
I know you can't wait to see the pictures! You know the routine...click on the two links below.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August132011SaltLakeCityUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ6hmbDBh-bD7QE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August132011SaltLakeCityUtahGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIm8oJPyn-a8FA&feat=directlink
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Day 69 - August 12, 2011 - Park City, Utah
What a fun day we had in Park City, Utah! We can only imagine how beautiful it would be in the winter with the snow and the ski slopes open!
The weather was great...sunny and so comfortable...we just walked around town, visiting shops, the museum, gallerys, etc. There really is a lot of history to Park City, as it was a big mining town. It also is the home of the Sundance Film Festival and was the scene of about 40% of the 2002 Winter Olympic events. We spent so much time downtown that when we got to Olympic Park it had just closed so we were only able to take some pictures from outside the gates. Once again, too many things we want to experience and too little time! We also were going to have lunch at Robert Redford's restaurant, Zoom, but arrived after they closed for lunch so we had lunch at a sidewalk cafe. When Zoom reopened for dinner at 5:00 we were not hungry but we did get a few pictures of the restaurant.
So glad we made Salt Lake City one of the stops on our "adventure"! We could easily stay here for weeks and not do all of the things we want to do!
Click on the link below to see our photos from today. The drive to Park City was so beautiful, I took pictures. Hope you enjoy the ride!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August122011ParkCityUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK7xicD3kfSLFw&feat=directlink
The weather was great...sunny and so comfortable...we just walked around town, visiting shops, the museum, gallerys, etc. There really is a lot of history to Park City, as it was a big mining town. It also is the home of the Sundance Film Festival and was the scene of about 40% of the 2002 Winter Olympic events. We spent so much time downtown that when we got to Olympic Park it had just closed so we were only able to take some pictures from outside the gates. Once again, too many things we want to experience and too little time! We also were going to have lunch at Robert Redford's restaurant, Zoom, but arrived after they closed for lunch so we had lunch at a sidewalk cafe. When Zoom reopened for dinner at 5:00 we were not hungry but we did get a few pictures of the restaurant.
So glad we made Salt Lake City one of the stops on our "adventure"! We could easily stay here for weeks and not do all of the things we want to do!
Click on the link below to see our photos from today. The drive to Park City was so beautiful, I took pictures. Hope you enjoy the ride!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August122011ParkCityUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK7xicD3kfSLFw&feat=directlink
Friday, August 12, 2011
Day 68 - August 11, 2011 - Salt Lake City, Utah
Boy do we love this city already! And this campground! We are downtown and just blocks from Historic Temple Square and a multitude of other sites, shopping, restaurants, museums, gallerys, etc. The campground even has a round-trip shuttle that picks up at the campground and downtown every thirty minutes! Many of the Olympic Legacy Attractions are within a walking or short driving distance. The outdoor activities with the mountains and lake surround us...we can even see the mountains from our campsite. And the list of options for us goes on and on! In other words, Salt Lake City is definitely our kind of town! We have listed many more things we want to do than we have time for during the three days we will be here.
This afternoon, after we got settled at the campground, we went to The Gateway, a mall that feels like small-town main street with wide sideswalks, friendly storefronts, and sidewalk cafes. At the center is a dancing fountain, a stone version of the 2002 Winter Olympic snowflake logo that shoots water jets synchronized to the Olympic theme music every thirty minutes! Kids love it and it was so much fun watching them dance around in it! We didn't leave until 7:30 and could have stayed later except the "girls" needed to go out and be fed.
We only took a few pictures today of the drive, the campground and The Gateway. Click on the link below to see them.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August112011SaltLakeCityUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCL2zyKqxno7jTg&feat=directlink
This afternoon, after we got settled at the campground, we went to The Gateway, a mall that feels like small-town main street with wide sideswalks, friendly storefronts, and sidewalk cafes. At the center is a dancing fountain, a stone version of the 2002 Winter Olympic snowflake logo that shoots water jets synchronized to the Olympic theme music every thirty minutes! Kids love it and it was so much fun watching them dance around in it! We didn't leave until 7:30 and could have stayed later except the "girls" needed to go out and be fed.
We only took a few pictures today of the drive, the campground and The Gateway. Click on the link below to see them.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August112011SaltLakeCityUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCL2zyKqxno7jTg&feat=directlink
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Day 67 - August 10, 2011 - Brigham City UT
Today was not one of our more exciting days, but it was a fun day. We started off heading to the Golden Spike National Historic Site, about 32 miles from Brigham City. It is the spot where "the east met the west" on May 10, 1869. A fascinating construction story, after 4 years the final spike was driven and two locomotives (Central Pacific's Jupiter and Union Pacific's No. 119) faced one another on a single railroad tract that tied the nation together. Interesting terrain, to say the least. Golden Spike National Historic Site was also different. No gate and very few signs explaining where each event occurred, which means we were on our own to try to figure it out ourselves. Scary, huh! I could say the "blind leading the blind" but Glenn is much smarter than I am with these things and eventually figured most of the locations and events out. The film and reenactment were good and we were glad we went...it was just different from some of the other national parks we have been to. Maybe that's because it was a National Historic Site and not a National Park...ya think? Duh...
Next stop...across the road and down the mountain to the Thickol Rocket Display where several of the rocket motors of America's space program are on display. We found it interesting that it was in the same area as Golden Spike...the Thickol Corporation builds and tests rocket at this site to support America's space and defense programs. Anyway, another interesting excursion...
Then on to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Lots of fun because we both love trying to take good pictures of birds, flowers, and animals in general. It's such a challenge! You may get bored with some of the pictures but it was fun for us taking them!
Tomorrow we leave for Salt Lake City...should be fun from what we are told! See you then!
Click on the two links below to see our photos from today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August102011BrighamCityUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKrB2tr_weCBcw&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August102011BrighamCityUtahGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKqhvISdtb66Mw&feat=directlink
Next stop...across the road and down the mountain to the Thickol Rocket Display where several of the rocket motors of America's space program are on display. We found it interesting that it was in the same area as Golden Spike...the Thickol Corporation builds and tests rocket at this site to support America's space and defense programs. Anyway, another interesting excursion...
Then on to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Lots of fun because we both love trying to take good pictures of birds, flowers, and animals in general. It's such a challenge! You may get bored with some of the pictures but it was fun for us taking them!
Tomorrow we leave for Salt Lake City...should be fun from what we are told! See you then!
Click on the two links below to see our photos from today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August102011BrighamCityUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKrB2tr_weCBcw&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August102011BrighamCityUtahGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKqhvISdtb66Mw&feat=directlink
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Day 66 - August 9, 2011 - Brigham City, Utah
Today we left Arco, Idaho and probably the nicest owners of a KOA that we have met. You know how sometimes you go places that just seem to be happy places. Well, that's the way the Arco KOA was...just a happy and relaxed place. That's what will stand out in my mind when I think of Arco.
The drive was great...pretty scenery and the weather couldn't have been better. We arrived at KOA in Brigham City...nice but not as good as Arco. We went to Maddox Ranch House for a late lunch/early dinner. They claim to have the "worlds finest beef". It was ok...nothing to write home about. Ha! Then we went to the Historic Train Depot Museum, which was built in 1907 and was the largest shipping center for the Union Pacific Railroad. Unfortunately, it was closed...it is only open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdayk from 1-5 so we will not get to go back. We did take some pictures of the outside.
A trip to Walmart and then back to the campground for some R & R. Nice...
Click on the link below for the few, and unexciting, pictures we took today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August92011BrighamCityUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOeHts7a4-KP7gE&feat=directlink
The drive was great...pretty scenery and the weather couldn't have been better. We arrived at KOA in Brigham City...nice but not as good as Arco. We went to Maddox Ranch House for a late lunch/early dinner. They claim to have the "worlds finest beef". It was ok...nothing to write home about. Ha! Then we went to the Historic Train Depot Museum, which was built in 1907 and was the largest shipping center for the Union Pacific Railroad. Unfortunately, it was closed...it is only open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdayk from 1-5 so we will not get to go back. We did take some pictures of the outside.
A trip to Walmart and then back to the campground for some R & R. Nice...
Click on the link below for the few, and unexciting, pictures we took today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August92011BrighamCityUtah?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOeHts7a4-KP7gE&feat=directlink
Day 65 - August 8, 2011 - Arco, Idaho
Well, if you are looking for photos today, you are out of luck! We had a wonderful day today just resting and catching up on bill paying, phone calls, emails, laundry, and planning the next few stops of our "adventure". It was a beautiful day and this is the perfect campground to relax and do exactly what we did. Wish we could take the campground and staff with us for the rest of our trip! It has been that great a place to stay!
Tomorrow we leave for Brigham City, Utah and somewhat warmer weather. I think our "comfortable" weather days are over as we head south towards the Grand Canyon.
Stay tuned...we have been told the "best is yet to come"! We don't know how it can get any better, but we're ready!
Tomorrow we leave for Brigham City, Utah and somewhat warmer weather. I think our "comfortable" weather days are over as we head south towards the Grand Canyon.
Stay tuned...we have been told the "best is yet to come"! We don't know how it can get any better, but we're ready!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Day 64 - August 7, 2011 - Arco, Idaho
Wow! What a fascinating day! We started at Pickle's Place, obviously a local hangout with really good food! We got there at a good time because, by the time we were served, the restaurant was full and there was a line out the door! Pickle's Place wasn't fascinating, but it was interesting!
Fascinating, interesting, and beautiful in it's own way was the drive to Craters of the Moon and then experiencing Craters of the Moon. The lava fields are unlike Hawaii in that there are no huge craters and the last eruption was 2000 years ago, whereas Hawaii's volcanos are still erupting. Of the 50 states, Idaho would be one of the last states we would have ever expected to see such amazing sites! While we were at Craters of the Moon we hiked through Indian Tunnel, a cave technically called a lava tube. Quite an experience...so glad I had on "terrain appropriate footwear"!
The drive back to the motor home was even more colorful with the sun setting. And we saw some pronghorn antelope! Actually, Glenn saw them first! Another surprise, considering the terrain!
Oh yeah...in case you didn't know, Arco was the first city in the world to be lit by atomic power! This infamous event occurred on July 17, 1955! What a great trivia (or Jeopardy) question! Wonder how many people would get it right! We wouldn't have before today!
Back at the campground we "moseyed" on over to the office for the daily "ice cream social"! This is one of the nicest KOA's we have stayed at and the owners and staff are SO FRIENDLY! Makes one feel like family!
It is hard to imagine the beauty of Craters of the Moon...and even the pictures do not capture it! But they are still pretty good, if I do say so myself! Ha!
Are we glad we came to Arco? Yes!!!
Click on the two links below to see the amazing photos taken today! I think you will agree that our "adventure" was fascinating!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August72011ArcoIdaho?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJKM4-2FuYXa2QE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August72011ArcoIdahoGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJfyntasrvHaywE&feat=directlink
Fascinating, interesting, and beautiful in it's own way was the drive to Craters of the Moon and then experiencing Craters of the Moon. The lava fields are unlike Hawaii in that there are no huge craters and the last eruption was 2000 years ago, whereas Hawaii's volcanos are still erupting. Of the 50 states, Idaho would be one of the last states we would have ever expected to see such amazing sites! While we were at Craters of the Moon we hiked through Indian Tunnel, a cave technically called a lava tube. Quite an experience...so glad I had on "terrain appropriate footwear"!
The drive back to the motor home was even more colorful with the sun setting. And we saw some pronghorn antelope! Actually, Glenn saw them first! Another surprise, considering the terrain!
Oh yeah...in case you didn't know, Arco was the first city in the world to be lit by atomic power! This infamous event occurred on July 17, 1955! What a great trivia (or Jeopardy) question! Wonder how many people would get it right! We wouldn't have before today!
Back at the campground we "moseyed" on over to the office for the daily "ice cream social"! This is one of the nicest KOA's we have stayed at and the owners and staff are SO FRIENDLY! Makes one feel like family!
It is hard to imagine the beauty of Craters of the Moon...and even the pictures do not capture it! But they are still pretty good, if I do say so myself! Ha!
Are we glad we came to Arco? Yes!!!
Click on the two links below to see the amazing photos taken today! I think you will agree that our "adventure" was fascinating!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August72011ArcoIdaho?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJKM4-2FuYXa2QE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August72011ArcoIdahoGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJfyntasrvHaywE&feat=directlink
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Day 63 - August 6, 2011 - Arco, Idaho
We sure did love Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park!!!!! But today was time to move on to our next adventure...Arco, Idaho! OK...I understand...you've never heard of it. Well, I hadn't either but someone, actually several people at the RV Park, told Glenn that they had just been to the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in Arco ID and that it was great, so here we are! Actually, Glenn had a great idea...go to Arco ID where there is not much to do other than Craters of the Moon, and then catch up on rest for a day or two and clean and reorganize the motor home, since we have not allowed for a lot of time to do these things since we left Irmo. When we got to KOA in Arco, our first thought was "what a great place to relax for a couple of days"! It is a very peaceful RV park, the owners are really nice and outgoing, and our site is perfect. Green grass and the "pet play area" is right out our front door! The "girls" like it too!
The drive was wonderful...very scenic. And the weather perfect!
Click on the link below if you want to "come along for the ride" see photos taken today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August62011ArcoIdaho?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKTZq-GPr8WfmwE&feat=directlink
The drive was wonderful...very scenic. And the weather perfect!
Click on the link below if you want to "come along for the ride" see photos taken today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August62011ArcoIdaho?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKTZq-GPr8WfmwE&feat=directlink
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Day 62 - August 5, 2011 - Jackson WY
The day began with a visit to the store and then lunch at The Cowboy Bar in Jackson. It had quite a lot of character, as you can see from the pictures, and the food was great! A little more "browsing around town", and then on to Jackson Point, Signal Mountain, Chapel of the Transfiguration (a rustic Episcopal Chapel built in the summer of 1925), and Menor's Ferry Historic Area. Of course, we were on the lookout for wildlife every step of the way!
We met some really nice people, a family from Connecticut, a cute young couple from Chicago, Bailey and Matthew from Dallas, Patrick the photographer from Rochester, Minnesota, and a really nice family from Denver. I just wish that I would remember to get pictures and names of all the really nice people we meet. I usually am enjoying the conversation so much that I don't think about it until it's too late! The story of my life!
We went back out to the National Elk Refuge hoping to see a Bull Moose. We did see lots of elk, another female moose, another beaver, a butterfly, and some crows but that was it for the day. Tomorrow we leave for Craters of the Moon in Arco, Idaho. Are we diverse, or what!
Click on the two links below to see our photos from today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August52011JacksonWY?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCI-qj46y-s28ugE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August52011JacksonWYGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK3hu9ynot-j4wE&feat=directlink
We met some really nice people, a family from Connecticut, a cute young couple from Chicago, Bailey and Matthew from Dallas, Patrick the photographer from Rochester, Minnesota, and a really nice family from Denver. I just wish that I would remember to get pictures and names of all the really nice people we meet. I usually am enjoying the conversation so much that I don't think about it until it's too late! The story of my life!
We went back out to the National Elk Refuge hoping to see a Bull Moose. We did see lots of elk, another female moose, another beaver, a butterfly, and some crows but that was it for the day. Tomorrow we leave for Craters of the Moon in Arco, Idaho. Are we diverse, or what!
Click on the two links below to see our photos from today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August52011JacksonWY?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCI-qj46y-s28ugE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August52011JacksonWYGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK3hu9ynot-j4wE&feat=directlink
Friday, August 5, 2011
Day 61 - August 4, 2011 - Jackson WY
A fun day! We started off going downtown again...love this town! We decided we wanted pizza for lunch so went to Pinky G's Pizza. Can you believe there were 2 people from South Carolina working there? One was a guy who used to live in Charleston and the other was Sara Knowlton who goes to USC and is living with her cousin in Jackson for the summer. She grew up in Columbia in Forest Acres, went to Heathwood Hall, her dad is an attorney at Nelson, Mullins etc.etc. law firm, and one of her good friends parents own the house beside the house across the street from our former house at the Isle of Palms! (I know the IOP part is confusing!). Anyway, we met the people who own that house...they are from Charlotte and very nice! Her brother currently goes to College of Charleston. She will be heading back to USC in a few weeks. I didn't have my camera with me (surprise!) so I took pictures with my phone. The pizza was good too!
Then we headed out to Jackson Lake and the Lodge...with many stops on the way (imagine that). And...the big news...we saw several animals we had not seen before...a Redhead duck, a Unita ground squirrel, a beaver, and our first moose! So exciting! We got some great pictures, even though many of them were taken out of the window of a moving jeep! We loved the Jackson Lake Lodge! And the view of the mountains from the inside is amazing!
To see the photos from today click on the link below.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Day 60 - August 3, 2011 - Jackson WY
Today was a big day! The "girls" got groomed and I got my first manicure and pedicure since we left on our trip! We were all overdue!
Then we drove out to another Visitor's Center and then to Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. He was, and still is, known as "Mr. Conservation"...quite an amazing man in his time. He founded numerous conservation organizations and contributed to the development of the national parks system. His dad, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. had donated 33,000 acres to the park in 1949, but retained over 3,100 acres around Phelps Lake as a family Retreat. Laurance Rockefeller inherited the 3,100 acres and in 2001 gifted it to the Park, envisioning a place where visitors could experience a spiritual and emotional connection to the extraordinary natural beauty of Phelps Lake and the Teton Range. We did not get to do the hike to Phelps Lake because it started raining, but the Center was exceptional! Maybe we will still get to do the hike before we leave.
Then we shopped and had dinner in downtown Jackson. A really fun evening. And now I am at the laundramat! What can I say...it was a great day but not necessarily a great evening. Well, I guess it could be because we have clean clothes again!
Click on the link below to see today's photos. You will see some pictures of a moose, bear, cubs and a few of other wildlife. While we would like to say we took those pictures, unfortunately, we did not. They were in a slide exhibit at the Center and I was playing with my camera...pretty good, huh!
Oh...and if the "girls" do not look happy in the pictures, they weren't! I took the pictures when I got back from the laundramat and they hate the flash from the camera! They are just so pretty and fluffy after being groomed...the pictures don't do them justice!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/Aug32011JacksonWY?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Ti578kNKGhAE&feat=directlink
Then we drove out to another Visitor's Center and then to Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. He was, and still is, known as "Mr. Conservation"...quite an amazing man in his time. He founded numerous conservation organizations and contributed to the development of the national parks system. His dad, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. had donated 33,000 acres to the park in 1949, but retained over 3,100 acres around Phelps Lake as a family Retreat. Laurance Rockefeller inherited the 3,100 acres and in 2001 gifted it to the Park, envisioning a place where visitors could experience a spiritual and emotional connection to the extraordinary natural beauty of Phelps Lake and the Teton Range. We did not get to do the hike to Phelps Lake because it started raining, but the Center was exceptional! Maybe we will still get to do the hike before we leave.
Then we shopped and had dinner in downtown Jackson. A really fun evening. And now I am at the laundramat! What can I say...it was a great day but not necessarily a great evening. Well, I guess it could be because we have clean clothes again!
Click on the link below to see today's photos. You will see some pictures of a moose, bear, cubs and a few of other wildlife. While we would like to say we took those pictures, unfortunately, we did not. They were in a slide exhibit at the Center and I was playing with my camera...pretty good, huh!
Oh...and if the "girls" do not look happy in the pictures, they weren't! I took the pictures when I got back from the laundramat and they hate the flash from the camera! They are just so pretty and fluffy after being groomed...the pictures don't do them justice!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/Aug32011JacksonWY?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCO6Ti578kNKGhAE&feat=directlink
Day 59 - August 2, 2011 - Jackson WY
I know that we have been inspired before on this trip but we were again today! Grand Teton National Park is magnificant!
We started off at the Visitor's Center and then headed to Jenny Lake. On the way, though, we tried out my new zoom lens...Boy am I (actually we) going to love it! When we got to Jenny Lake we took the boat ride over to hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point! What a great hike and we met a number of really nice people from the Carolinas. On our way back to Jackson we saw a herd of buffalo and tried out my zoom lens again! Like I said...gonna love it!
Last night we were invited over to some "neighbors" from Washington State and Texas. Really nice people and we really enjoyed it but when we got home I was so tired that Glenn said he would edit the pictures. What a guy!!!
Click on the two links below to see the pictures taken today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August22011JacksonWY?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNylrKrRw67Rbg&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August22011JacksonWYGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLCBirPqxqKnHQ&feat=directlink
We started off at the Visitor's Center and then headed to Jenny Lake. On the way, though, we tried out my new zoom lens...Boy am I (actually we) going to love it! When we got to Jenny Lake we took the boat ride over to hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point! What a great hike and we met a number of really nice people from the Carolinas. On our way back to Jackson we saw a herd of buffalo and tried out my zoom lens again! Like I said...gonna love it!
Last night we were invited over to some "neighbors" from Washington State and Texas. Really nice people and we really enjoyed it but when we got home I was so tired that Glenn said he would edit the pictures. What a guy!!!
Click on the two links below to see the pictures taken today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August22011JacksonWY?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNylrKrRw67Rbg&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August22011JacksonWYGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLCBirPqxqKnHQ&feat=directlink
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Day 58 - August 1, 2011 - Jackson WY
If I've said it before I'm going to say it again...we have been SO BLESSED on this trip...in every way! Most recently, again, with the weather! We had 4 beautiful days in Yellowstone before the rain came yesterday afternoon and when we left Yellowstone this morning it was still raining (light, but still rain!). And we drove in a light rain to all the way to Jackson but then...right before we got to Jackson, the rain quit!
As we drove into town, we knew we were going to love it here! So, when we checked into the campground, we went ahead and extended our stay here for another night, which means we will be here until Aug. 6.
We drove through Grand Teton National Park on the way to Jackson and the scenery was so amazing...even in the rain! We can't wait to go back and they are calling for sunshine with "isolated showers" all week so "hopefully" we will continue to be blessed with good weather here!
The Virginian RV Park is right downtown...perfect location in this great town! There is so much to do here without even going to the National Park...even though that is the reason we are here! Plus...the "girls" haven't been groomed since we were in Rochester, MN, which means they are "past due" and there are pet grooming places here! Yeah! And I haven't had a manicure/pedicure since we left home and...guess what! We passed a nail place on our way to the RV Park! Yeah again!
Now...what did we do after we got set up at the RV Park? We went to DD Camera Corral...a really great camera shop! Why, you ask, did we go straight to a camera shop? Well, remember July 30, the really long day...and we were so tired? And the bear pictures...the first bear that we have seen our whole trip? Well...we think that's where I lost one of my camera lenses...the 55 mm that came with my camera (I have been going back and forth using it and my 55-250 mm telephoto lens). I didn't realize it until we were somewhere between Tower Roosevelt and Mammoth Hot Springs. Was I devastated? You know I was! Anyway Glenn, being the great guy that he always is, did not say anything and the next day when we left for West Thumb, he stopped at a camera shop, Elk Mountain Photo, in West Yellowstone to buy me another one (I didn't even know there was a camera shop in West Yellowstone!). The owners, David and Dianne Winter, were very helpful but they did not have a comparable lens to fit my camera. However, when they found out that we were coming to Jackson, they referred us to DD Camera Corral. Now, first of all, it is very hard to find camera stores any more because of the large electronic stores like Best Buy. And large stores only carry a limited selection of camera lenses...so we were blessed again to be in an area with a "real camera store"! And Sue, at DD Camera Corral, was THE BEST salesperson...very knowledgeable about cameras and lenses, and most important to me because I have a Canon camera, very knowledgeable about Canon cameras and lenses! Now there are many different types of lenses and it is very easy to waste money on a lens that you are not happy with. We wanted a lens similar to the one that came with my camera but was more of a wide angle lens. And we also wanted a zoom lens so that we could take "closer" shots of the wildlife in the parks we are visiting. Sue reviewed the "pluses and minuses" of each lens and helped us make the decision that will "work for us" with the type of photos we take. I know you all are so excited! Well, we are...and I really am!
We left DD Camera Corral and stopped at The Virginian Restaurant for dinner and guess who walked in about 10 minutes after we did...Sue from the camera shop! Yes...it is a small world...there may be hundreds of restaurants in this town (which means there are a lot!) and we were having dinner at the same restaurant! And she was seated in the booth behind us! Anyway...enough said...Sue was the best and if you need camera equipment or advice go to www.ddcameracorral.com, and tell Sue that crazy couple from South Carolina said thanks and hi!
I'm going to quit babbling on and start uploading the pictures from today. Remember, it was raining and I only had my telephoto lens...not near as much fun as it was when I had the two lenses to switch back and forth. Glenn took some pictures with his camera so we, at least, do have some "wider angle" shots.
Tomorrow we will try out our new lenses at Grand Teton National Park and...hopefully...we will have some amazing photos to post!
Click on the link below to see photos taken today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August12011JacksonWY?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNX_gsOiiqmp_AE&feat=directlink
As we drove into town, we knew we were going to love it here! So, when we checked into the campground, we went ahead and extended our stay here for another night, which means we will be here until Aug. 6.
We drove through Grand Teton National Park on the way to Jackson and the scenery was so amazing...even in the rain! We can't wait to go back and they are calling for sunshine with "isolated showers" all week so "hopefully" we will continue to be blessed with good weather here!
The Virginian RV Park is right downtown...perfect location in this great town! There is so much to do here without even going to the National Park...even though that is the reason we are here! Plus...the "girls" haven't been groomed since we were in Rochester, MN, which means they are "past due" and there are pet grooming places here! Yeah! And I haven't had a manicure/pedicure since we left home and...guess what! We passed a nail place on our way to the RV Park! Yeah again!
Now...what did we do after we got set up at the RV Park? We went to DD Camera Corral...a really great camera shop! Why, you ask, did we go straight to a camera shop? Well, remember July 30, the really long day...and we were so tired? And the bear pictures...the first bear that we have seen our whole trip? Well...we think that's where I lost one of my camera lenses...the 55 mm that came with my camera (I have been going back and forth using it and my 55-250 mm telephoto lens). I didn't realize it until we were somewhere between Tower Roosevelt and Mammoth Hot Springs. Was I devastated? You know I was! Anyway Glenn, being the great guy that he always is, did not say anything and the next day when we left for West Thumb, he stopped at a camera shop, Elk Mountain Photo, in West Yellowstone to buy me another one (I didn't even know there was a camera shop in West Yellowstone!). The owners, David and Dianne Winter, were very helpful but they did not have a comparable lens to fit my camera. However, when they found out that we were coming to Jackson, they referred us to DD Camera Corral. Now, first of all, it is very hard to find camera stores any more because of the large electronic stores like Best Buy. And large stores only carry a limited selection of camera lenses...so we were blessed again to be in an area with a "real camera store"! And Sue, at DD Camera Corral, was THE BEST salesperson...very knowledgeable about cameras and lenses, and most important to me because I have a Canon camera, very knowledgeable about Canon cameras and lenses! Now there are many different types of lenses and it is very easy to waste money on a lens that you are not happy with. We wanted a lens similar to the one that came with my camera but was more of a wide angle lens. And we also wanted a zoom lens so that we could take "closer" shots of the wildlife in the parks we are visiting. Sue reviewed the "pluses and minuses" of each lens and helped us make the decision that will "work for us" with the type of photos we take. I know you all are so excited! Well, we are...and I really am!
We left DD Camera Corral and stopped at The Virginian Restaurant for dinner and guess who walked in about 10 minutes after we did...Sue from the camera shop! Yes...it is a small world...there may be hundreds of restaurants in this town (which means there are a lot!) and we were having dinner at the same restaurant! And she was seated in the booth behind us! Anyway...enough said...Sue was the best and if you need camera equipment or advice go to www.ddcameracorral.com, and tell Sue that crazy couple from South Carolina said thanks and hi!
I'm going to quit babbling on and start uploading the pictures from today. Remember, it was raining and I only had my telephoto lens...not near as much fun as it was when I had the two lenses to switch back and forth. Glenn took some pictures with his camera so we, at least, do have some "wider angle" shots.
Tomorrow we will try out our new lenses at Grand Teton National Park and...hopefully...we will have some amazing photos to post!
Click on the link below to see photos taken today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August12011JacksonWY?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNX_gsOiiqmp_AE&feat=directlink
Monday, August 1, 2011
Day 57- July 31, 2011 - Yellowstone National Park
Last night, we decided that we would rest today. Well, we did until around 1:00! Then we decided to drive the stretch from Old Faithful to West Thumb...the section we didn't get to do Friday because we ran out of time.
The sun was out and it was in the 70's when we left West Yellowstone, but right after we passed the turnoff to Old Faithful it had started raining (fortunately it was light) and the temperature was dropping fast! Thank goodness we keep sweatshirts and rain gear in the jeep! We stopped at Kepler Cascades and the signs at the Continental Divide (there are 2 places about a quarter mile apart) to take pictures. Then we stopped at Shoshone Point, which overlooks the second largest lake in the park (Yellowstone Lake is the largest), and West Thumb Geyser Basin on our way to Grant Village. Oh yeah, we also stopped for elk! Lots of elk in the West Thumb area! We had decided we would eat a late lunch/early dinner at one of the restaurants at Grant Villege; however, the two restaurants had waiting lists and we were hungry so we went to the Village Grill and had hamburgers and fries (really good, by the way!).
On the way back to West Yellowstone we saw the most beautiful sunset! Of course, we had to stop to take pictures! I haven't looked at them yet because we went through yesterday's pictures tonight and are uploading them now so we can put the link on yesterday's post tomorrow. Then we will get today's uploaded and posted tomorrow. I hope the pictures are as good as the sunset was beautiful!
Tomorrow we leave Yellowstone...what a wonderful experience and, yes, we will return! We saw so much but didn't get the chance to do many hikes...there are many that we want to do! And while there are some very nice places to stay in the park, they were full this time of year and West Yellowstone ended up being a great place to stay! Once again, we will be sad to leave!
Our next "adventure" will be in Jackson Hole, WY and the Grant Teton National Park! Stay tuned!
Click on the two links below to see our photos from today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/July312011YellowstoneNationalPark?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM-VqdDwxu_m3wE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/July312011YellowstoneNationalParkGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMOdhcur1PuIUg&feat=directlink
The sun was out and it was in the 70's when we left West Yellowstone, but right after we passed the turnoff to Old Faithful it had started raining (fortunately it was light) and the temperature was dropping fast! Thank goodness we keep sweatshirts and rain gear in the jeep! We stopped at Kepler Cascades and the signs at the Continental Divide (there are 2 places about a quarter mile apart) to take pictures. Then we stopped at Shoshone Point, which overlooks the second largest lake in the park (Yellowstone Lake is the largest), and West Thumb Geyser Basin on our way to Grant Village. Oh yeah, we also stopped for elk! Lots of elk in the West Thumb area! We had decided we would eat a late lunch/early dinner at one of the restaurants at Grant Villege; however, the two restaurants had waiting lists and we were hungry so we went to the Village Grill and had hamburgers and fries (really good, by the way!).
On the way back to West Yellowstone we saw the most beautiful sunset! Of course, we had to stop to take pictures! I haven't looked at them yet because we went through yesterday's pictures tonight and are uploading them now so we can put the link on yesterday's post tomorrow. Then we will get today's uploaded and posted tomorrow. I hope the pictures are as good as the sunset was beautiful!
Tomorrow we leave Yellowstone...what a wonderful experience and, yes, we will return! We saw so much but didn't get the chance to do many hikes...there are many that we want to do! And while there are some very nice places to stay in the park, they were full this time of year and West Yellowstone ended up being a great place to stay! Once again, we will be sad to leave!
Our next "adventure" will be in Jackson Hole, WY and the Grant Teton National Park! Stay tuned!
Click on the two links below to see our photos from today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/July312011YellowstoneNationalPark?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM-VqdDwxu_m3wE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/July312011YellowstoneNationalParkGlenn?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMOdhcur1PuIUg&feat=directlink
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